Hudson Thomas Sands, 6-year-old son of Todd and Stacey Sands, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020, at home after a courageous battle with a rare form of brain cancer called DIPG. In honor of his love of parades, his family will hold a final parade/drive-through visitation from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, December 21, at Church of the Resurrection West parking lot, 24000 W Valley Pkwy, Olathe, KS.
A family-only service will be live-streamed on Tuesday, December 22, at 10 a.m. People are invited to view the service here:
https://events.blogs.cor.org/memorialsonline.
Hudson was born August 21, 2014 in Overland Park, KS, and was a kindergartner at Cedar Creek Elementary School. He lived a life full of energy and love, and he lit up the room with his infectious smile, fierce spirit, and huge heart. He put 100% into everything he did, from building LEGOs, to singing, dancing, giving "Hudson Hugs," laughing, fishing, swimming, playing with friends and family, learning, or simply announcing his presence. He believed there was no time to sit still when you could be having fun.
Hudson brought out the best in those around him. In addition to teaching people to never take a single day for granted, he leaves a legacy of bringing people together to make a positive impact on those in need. The support he and his family have received since his diagnosis in October of 2019 has been absolutely incredible.
Hudson is survived by his parents, Todd and Stacey Sands, his sister, Addie Sands, as well as his Great Grandma, Jane Koch, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Grandpa Tom and Grandma Sherrie Manning of Lincoln, Nebraska, Grandma Pat Sands of Merrill, Iowa, (Grandpa Larry Sands, deceased), Uncle Brian and Aunt Kristin Manning of Lenexa, Kansas, cousins Riley and Reagan Manning of Lenexa, Kansas, and many other family members and incredible friends.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Hudson's memory to The ChadTough Foundation, whose mission is to inspire and fund game-changing research to discover effective treatments for pediatric brain cancer, with an emphasis on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
https://www.chadtough.org/donate/Hudson's family thanks you for your prayers, love and support during this difficult time, and encourages you to learn about DIPG and help raise awareness for the importance of pediatric brain cancer research, which remains vastly underfunded compared to other forms of cancer research.
"I am smart. I am kind. I am loved. I am brave."
"Don't stop."
- Hudson Sands
To leave a message of condolence for Hudson's family, or to share a special memory of Hudson, visit the guestbook below.